TIGERS’ START CRUCIAL

RICHMOND’S first-quarter barrage proved the difference at Giants Stadium despite a late charge by GWS in the AFLW round 9 clash on Saturday.

The Tigers kicked 32 points to just one behind in the first quarter, providing the buffer that did not look like being breached until 40-year-old Irish forward Cora Staunton produced three final-quarter goals for GWS.

The Giants outscored the visitors in the final three terms to peg back the advantage, but it was Richmond which hung on to win 46-38.

Elsewhere, St Kilda notched a club first, winning its second game in a row for the first time in AFLW, when it held off a late charge by Geelong to win by nine points.